Hello everyone!
I want to share with you all some photos we took during a backstage tour of Six Flags Magic Mountain's new trains for X2.
The following photos and video were shot today in the transfer shed of X2. So far 2 rows of cars have been delivered. The paint job or the "X change operation" is nearing completion and the park is anticipating a Spring 2008 re-opening.
Check out both the photos and there is a link to our video where park General Manager Tim Burkhart explains more in depth some of the changes to the new trains.
From outside the park you can see that almost all the track is now red. The "X Change Operation" which will take X from being girly pink & yellow to manly red & black is almost done!
If you look REAL close, you can still see some yellow left.
Wait a second! That's a trash bag with a wheel sticking out! You can't fool me!!!
Oh. *blush* I see. There really IS a train under there!
So Tim Burkhart, SFMM General Manager explained that one of the main differences was converting the old "Pickle Forks" into "Pickle Spoons." (The actual technical term. We're not making this up! Someone went through YEARS of engineering school for this so please don't make fun of their names!)
Here you can see the old "Pickle Forks" that the seats rest on...
The new "Pickle Spoon" is one giant piece, and while lighter than the old pickle fork, should be more stable and make for a smoother ride.
The wheels...while yes they are still round...note that the assembly is one solid piece on the new train...
...Whereas on the old trains there were a lot more welds and bolts that held it together.
You can see here where many changes were made to help lighten up the trains. All those holes used to be solid on the old trains.
Here's some bolts.
Here's some steel!
New train.....old train!
Yup. When it opens it's going to launch at 85MPH! Didn't you hear about that part? Ok, ok, I'm just kidding!
For more photos and to view the video we shot, where Tim explains a lot more about the trains, click here:
http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/vi ... hp?t=41602
If you are a member of TPR, you can download DVD image of the video as well as the high res version of all the photos here:
http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=7
Hope you all enjoy the pics!
--Robb